Fall in New Brunswick

As I promised some pictures from the trails that I run everyday. Yesterday was such a beautiful day!

Fall starts and I'm feeling better

For almost two weeks now I have been dealing with hamstring pain. In both high school and college I was pledged with bad hamstrings (I've suffered both strains and a severe grade 2 tear). So I have been very cautious about my running these last few weeks. Which in turn has put me a little down in the dumps. I have been having a hard time trying to motivate myself to get out for my runs. Today in fact, Tony had to physically take me outside. He promised that I would feel better after it was over (of course he was right).

This is my first fall in New Brunswick. Today on my run I really got to take full advantage of viewing the beautiful changing leaves. I had one of those moments where I could just be thankful for the opportunity to be out running. Friday has to be my favorite day for running. Everyone is busy getting home...getting ready for their weekend. It was so quiet and peaceful tonight. Ah...smile. I'm just so happy!

On my way home I grabbed some of the beautiful leaves (so I could give you a teaser). Tomorrow I'm going to try and get out and take some pictures. So you can see just how lucky I am!
Tonight above all, I'm so very thankful for my teammates. They lift me up when I need it the most! Thank you TEAM POINT TWO! Sending my love, Jamie

Terry Fox Run Update

It has been over a week since I ran my first 10K race. Now I wouldn't really call this a race (we didn't have race numbers or chips), it was technically a "fun" run. All the same I was still nervous. The race took place on the trails in Fredericton that I usually do all my training on. It was good because I knew what to expect. This was probably the hardest race I have ever done. It pretty much felt like I was sprinting the whole thing! I felt out of shape and ready to cry. At mile 6 I wanted to quit...but dug in an finished hard (ha ha the last .2). Although I had a really great race it was overshadowed by my right hamstring. Early in the week I tweaked it and didn't email John because I didn't have internet. So I continued with the planned workouts and ran the race without him knowing. Needless to say I don't think the race helped the hamstring out any. Overall, it was a good experience. BUT the next 10K race I do will definitely be a road race.

The Terry Fox Run

"And almost 30 years later, Canadians adopted Terry’s mission of finding a cure for all cancers with an enthusiasm and passion that has done him proud. In keeping with the approach of its founder, The Terry Fox Run (1981 - ) is an innovative and volunteer-led event, all-inclusive, non-competitive, with no corporate sponsorship, incentives or fundraising minimums.

It has become a fall tradition in Canada to gather your friends and family, lace on your shoes, bring our pledge sheets and attend your favourite Terry Fox Run site, where Organizers have no budget for expenses but have unlimited appreciation for your attendance!

The Annual Run in Canada is usually hosted on the second Sunday after Labour Day, the month chosen by Terry to reflect when he had to stop running and when Canadians had to start."
Taken from Terry Fox Foundation http://www.terryfox.org

This year I will be participating in The Terry Fox Run held in Fredericton, NB. I will be running with my family in a group named "Family Ties." I'm so honored to be a part of such a special thing!

Nervous

I am starting to get a little nervous about my marathon in December. Since it’s my second marathon I know a little more about what to expect. But now I have the PR looming over head. Many many "what ifs" running around in my head. I'm thankful to have my teammates from Team Point Two around to help with motivation and inspiration!
I'm also missing the Netherlands. Normally around the end of August we are moving back to Europe for hockey. This year we will not be going back. I did find out on Monday that I got accepted into an 18 month program for Graphic and Digital Media Design. I'm really excited to go back to school and am thankful that I will be staying in my husband's home town. Lots of new things to look forward to.
Now I'm just trying to find a cheap flight home to Nebraska (for a quick visit) before school starts in October.

August Running Summary

Runs: 26
Avg. Time: 01:05:38
Total Time: 28:26:37
Avg. Speed: 6.6 MPH
Avg. Mi Pace: 9:04
Avg. Dist.: 7.2 Mi
Total Dist.: 188.1 Mi
Avg. Cal. Burned: 736.8
Total Cal. Burned: 19157

Recovery Week

Use this week as a recovery week before we forge into the next phase:

M: Off. Take a 4 mile walk if you must, but that's optional.

T: 5 miles. Warmup 1.5 miles. Stretch and 4x 10 second striders. 2 sets of 3x 1:30 up the best hill you can find that you can run 1:30 up. Walk 4 minutes between sets. 1.5 mile warm down.

W: Off.

Th: 4 miles. One mile easy. 2 miles in 17:10 (8:35/mile). One mile warmdown.

F: 5 miles easy, with 6x 10 second striders at end of run.

S: Off.

Su: 8 miles. After an easy first mile, run the last 7 miles at an avg. pace of 9:20/mile.

Week's mileage: 22 miles.